GEAYLING FISHING. 129 



The most slaughterous way, however, of fishing for 

 grayling, particularly on the Shropshire streams, is with 

 what is called the grasshopper. This is a pear-shaped 

 lump of lead of small gooseberry size cast on to the shank 

 of a No. 4 hook. This is twisted over with rows of green 

 and yellow, and sometimes red wool ; five or six gentles 

 are then stuck on the hook, and the thing is cast into the 

 water in a favourable eddy, and allowed to go to the 

 bottom, when it is jerked up and down in a succession of 

 short jumps all over the eddy, never being allowed to 

 remain still. The moment you feel a touch, or the least 

 obstruction, you strike smartly, and you ought, if well up 

 to your work, to catch your fish. 



When the bottom is first found, a very small quill 

 float, which is fixed on the line, is set to show the depth, 

 as a guide to the angler in his jumpifications. A 

 pretty stiff cane rod is used, and the gut is tolerably stout 

 the hook so large that no time is wasted in playing 

 the fish ; as soon as he is hooked, you put a heavy strain 

 on, and quickly haul him ashore. Prodigious takes are 

 sometimes made in this fashion. I have heard of as 

 much as 901b. falling to one rod in a day. It is a coarse 

 business altogether. Grayling spawn in April and May, 

 and, I think, ought not to be taken before July, or even 

 later on some streams. The largest grayling in the 

 kingdom are found in the Itchen and Test, where I have 

 caught them up to 41b. weight, and, though a three- 

 pounder is not caught every day, 2lb. fish are common. 

 They have increased greatly of late years, and some of 

 these waters now abound with them. 



